Motifs in Brave New World

While I was reading Brave New World, I noticed several motifs that consistently appeared throughout the text.

                

The first motif I took note of was the constant usage of the word ‘pneumatic’.  This word has two meanings:  in reference to a chair it means filled with air pockets and if referring to a woman it means having a well-rounded figure (urban dictionary).  Lenina’s sexual partners often use this word to describe her (Huxley 33) and even Lenina herself tells Bernard, “Everyone says I’m awfully pneumatic.” (Huxley 62)  The fact that Huxley uses this adjective to describe women and furniture shows how little people in the World State value each other.

                

Shakespeare also appears many times in this novel.  He provides the basis for all of John’s morals and values, which he shows clearly in the scene where Lenina comes on to him.  In this scene John quotes Shakespeare numerous times, as he does in stressful situations, saying, “The strongest suggestion our worser genius can, shall never melt mine honour into lust.”  (Huxley 133)  A contrast to the World State’s propaganda is also made in this scene when Lenina repeats, “Hug me till you drug me,” as John narrates, “She too had poetry at her command, knew words that sang and were spells and beat drums.” (Huxley 134).  The Shakespearean literature that appears in this novel serves as a contrast to the simple-minded poetry of the World State.  The stories of Shakespeare represent every emotion and value that the World State is trying to rid themselves of.

               

Lastly, the aspect of being outcasted by society serves as a motif in Huxley’s work.  There are three major outcasts in this story:  Bernard, John, and Helmholtz Watson.  Bernard is estranged from the society of World State because he is small and too weak to fulfill the position society has predestinated him to be in.  Helmholtz on the other hand is too strong and intelligent even for his position as an Alpha Plus.  Finally, John is outcasted because he doesn’t fit in because he is part of two worlds that conflict each other.  He was born in the Reservation but his mother used to belong to the World State which means he is not accepted there.  He also doesn’t belong at the World State because he can’t bring himself to agree with the morals that the citizens there live by.  

Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World. New York: Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2006. Electronic.